The aluminum beverage can returns to the grocer's shelf as a new, filled can in as little as 90 days after collection, re-melting, rolling, manufacturing and distribution. Consumers could purchase the same recycled aluminum can from a grocer's shelf every 13 weeks or 4 times a year. (11)

It's estimated that since 1972 some 13 million tons of aluminum cans have been recycled in the U.S. These 534.7 billion aluminum cans placed end-to-end could stretch to the moon some 170 times. (11)

The average American family recycles 150 six packs of aluminum cans a year. (1)

Used aluminum cans are melted down into ingots that can weigh as much as 30,000 tons. That's enough aluminum to make 1.6 million cans. (38)

When introduced in the early 1960's, 1,000 aluminum beverage cans weighed about 55 lbs. Today, through improved design, 1,000 aluminum beverage cans weigh less than 35 lbs. This is a significant reduction in raw material use and in waste to be recycled. (38)

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aluminum cans represent less than 1% of the nation's solid waste stream. (11)

Recycling has created an estimated 30,000 jobs since 1970. In 1985, an estimated 2 million aluminum can collectors earned over 200 million dollars for their recycling efforts. (3)

To make a ton of aluminum from raw materials, we have to treat and dispose of 3,290 lbs. of red mud, 2,900 lbs. of carbon dioxide, 81 lbs. of air pollutants and 789 lbs. of solid wastes. (5)